Regional Traffic Signal Operations Workshop

1
Advancing Traffic Signal Management Programs
through Regional Collaboration
T3 Webinar -- July 23, 2009Jim PostonRegional
Transportation CommissionReno, Nevada
2
Region Overview
3
Region Overview
4
Region Overview

• 2009 population 428,000
• 20-year growth rate 2 - 3
• Road network
• 132 miles of freeway
• 376 miles of regional arterials
• Traffic signals 376
• Reno 247
• Sparks 110
• Washoe County 19

5
Regional Transportation Commissionof Washoe
County

• MPO
• Engineering
• Fuel tax fed funds 34 million
• Impact fees 65 million
• RTC-5 80 million
• Transit
• RTC RIDE 9 million rides/year, 30 routes
• RTC INTERCITY, RTC ACCESS
• Sierra Spirit, TART

6
RTC Signal Coordination Efforts

• RTC owns/operates no traffic signals
• RTC provides additional resources
• Manpower
• Expertise
• First regional project 1999
• Representative project 2006-2008
• 165 intersections
• Project cost 615,050
• 95 Federal funding
• 5 match from NDOT

7
RTC Signal Coordination Efforts

• Project components
• Improved signal timing
• Timing guidelines
• Staff tools to expedite future signal timing
• Staff training

8
(No Transcript)
9
Results on the street

• Average speed increased by 13
• Delay reduced by 8
• 113,000 vehicle-hours saved per year
• Less fuel used 550,000 gals saved
• Cleaner air
• NOx 5,600 lbs
• PM10 720 lbs
• CO 67,000 lbs
• 16.71 benefit-cost
• Video illustration

10
Additional Products

• Regional timing guidelines
• Targeted signal operations training
• Regional Synchro computer network
• Public outreach materials
• Recommendations for improvement beyond signal
  timing
• Maintain regional level of service

11
Timing Guidelines
Parameter Value Application
Phasing Timing Phasing Timing Phasing Timing
Ped Walk 4 7 sec Use 6 seconds at typical locations. If additional time is needed, increase accordingly. In unusual situations where the overall signal cycle length is critical, the duration can be reduced to a minimum of four (4) seconds.
Flashing Dont Walk (Ped Protect) Variable The minimum pedestrian clearance interval shall be sufficient to allow a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk who left the curb or shoulder during the WALK interval to travel at a walking speed of four (4) feet per second, to at least the far side of the traveled way or to a median of sufficient width for pedestrians to wait. If needed, other walking speeds may be used as appropriate. The duration of the FLASHING DONT WALK interval is calculated by subtracting the yellow change interval and the red clearance interval from the minimum pedestrian clearance interval. The pedestrian clearance interval, together with the associated yellow change interval and red clearance interval, is intended to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway before a conflicting green indication is displayed. This does not say we can use the walk period as part of the time it takes a pedestrian to cross the street.
Initial Green 8 sec Thru movements on arterial
Initial Green 4 sec Side street and all left turn movements
Max Initial 18 - 20 This is only used if the approaches dont have stop bars.
 JP1This seems too short for minor thru
movements with 4 secs TBR. Id recommend TTR be
set to Max-TBR.  JP2Cond svc is the default?
12
Training
13
Regional Synchro Network
14
Recommendations for Improvementbeyond Signal
Timing
Inside McCarran (Acceptable LOSD) Inside McCarran (Acceptable LOSD) Inside McCarran (Acceptable LOSD) Inside McCarran (Acceptable LOSD) Inside McCarran (Acceptable LOSD)
Main Street Cross Street Existing LOS (AM/mid/PM) Low-cost improvement Major improvement
Moana US-395 ramps C-D-E Restripe to (2)NBLT lanes (Corridor) Add (1) WB lane on Moana
Plumb Harvard C-E-F (No improvement identified) Add 2nd NBLT lane Add 2nd WBLT lane
Pyramid Oddie F-E-F Remove E/W split phasing restripe WB to L/TR (Corridor) Add 3rd NB, 3rd SB lane on Pyramid
Rock Glendale D-D-F Extend WBRT striping Extend WBRT storage, add WB thru lane (Corridor) add 3rd NB lane, add 3rd SB lane
Rock Hymer C-B-E (No improvement identified) Remove E/W split phasing restripe EB to LT/R (Corridor) add 3rd NB lane, add 3rd SB lane
Rock I-80 ramps F-C-E Restripe EB ramp to L/LTR/R Add EBRT acceleration lane (Corridor) add 3rd NB lane, add 3rd SB lane
15
Public Feedback
16
Public Feedback - Followup
17
Public Outreach Materials
18
Is It Better?
"I'm not having the pleasant experience that's
been represented to us. If I'm wrong, I'm going
to apologize. But I'm not wrong ... You show me
that it's working. It's not, from my
perspective."
19
Before-after video comparison
Video Illustration
20
Image advertising
21
Next Project

• Improved public information
• Next project
• New intersections, some repeats
• Closer cooperation with UNR
• MOU to freeze signal timing
• Traffic counts provided to consultant
• Cooperative traffic management
• Computer access
• Shared information on construction projects
• Single contact for signal calls
• Supplemental, not replacement

22
Questions?

• Jim Poston
• [phone]
• JPoston_at_RTCwashoe.com